Published Tuesday, 22 January, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
QBUILD STAFF ACTIVE IN FLOOD RESPONSE
QBuild teams have been mobilised at Emerald, Longreach, Charleville and a number of smaller centres as part of the Queensland Government’s flood response.
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said today QBuild’s officers had been extensively involved in setting up community evacuation centres at Emerald.
“QBuild has done an excellent job of organising a wide range of resources at the evacuation centres including bedding, cooking equipment, food supplies, bottled water, power generators, portable lighting, tables and chairs, and portable toilets,” he said.
Mr Schwarten said an additional 200 mattresses and 500 blankets were on their way from an SDS supplier.
“QBuild has been busy coordinating the supply of ablution blocks with shower facilities, also en route from Brisbane and Townsville,” the Minister said.
“These facilities are expected to arrive at Emerald later today, and crews are on standby to connect services such as water and power,” he said.
Mr Schwarten said QBuild earlier was actively involved in supplying some of the materials and equipment used in setting up the initial community evacuation centre at Emerald Town Hall.
“QBuild was able to source bedding for about 480 people using a mix of Emerald and Rockhampton based providers,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The last of the materials – mattresses, bed linen, blankets, pillows and so on – arrived at Emerald on Sunday night,” he said.
“As part of the organisation’s natural disaster response role, QBuild staff members have been working tirelessly to protect Queensland Government infrastructure in and around the flood-ravaged communities,” Mr Schwarten said.
“These activities included relocating the local Disaster Coordination Centre to higher ground at Charleville late on Saturday night.
“In addition, QBuild resources were used to assist the experienced New Zealand based flood mitigation engineers to raise the level of protection offered by portable barriers flown in from New South Wales,” he said.
The barriers were delivered to Charleville from New South Wales on Friday night by two Australian Defence Force Hercules aircraft.
Mr Schwarten said QBuild officers representing the Department of Public Works were currently involved in liaison roles in District Disaster Management Groups in the three western centres.
He said QBuild had also placed a number of electrical trades on standby for possible deployment once the floodwaters receded.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said today QBuild’s officers had been extensively involved in setting up community evacuation centres at Emerald.
“QBuild has done an excellent job of organising a wide range of resources at the evacuation centres including bedding, cooking equipment, food supplies, bottled water, power generators, portable lighting, tables and chairs, and portable toilets,” he said.
Mr Schwarten said an additional 200 mattresses and 500 blankets were on their way from an SDS supplier.
“QBuild has been busy coordinating the supply of ablution blocks with shower facilities, also en route from Brisbane and Townsville,” the Minister said.
“These facilities are expected to arrive at Emerald later today, and crews are on standby to connect services such as water and power,” he said.
Mr Schwarten said QBuild earlier was actively involved in supplying some of the materials and equipment used in setting up the initial community evacuation centre at Emerald Town Hall.
“QBuild was able to source bedding for about 480 people using a mix of Emerald and Rockhampton based providers,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The last of the materials – mattresses, bed linen, blankets, pillows and so on – arrived at Emerald on Sunday night,” he said.
“As part of the organisation’s natural disaster response role, QBuild staff members have been working tirelessly to protect Queensland Government infrastructure in and around the flood-ravaged communities,” Mr Schwarten said.
“These activities included relocating the local Disaster Coordination Centre to higher ground at Charleville late on Saturday night.
“In addition, QBuild resources were used to assist the experienced New Zealand based flood mitigation engineers to raise the level of protection offered by portable barriers flown in from New South Wales,” he said.
The barriers were delivered to Charleville from New South Wales on Friday night by two Australian Defence Force Hercules aircraft.
Mr Schwarten said QBuild officers representing the Department of Public Works were currently involved in liaison roles in District Disaster Management Groups in the three western centres.
He said QBuild had also placed a number of electrical trades on standby for possible deployment once the floodwaters receded.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832